OFFICIAL WBSC
BASEBALL5 RULEBOOK
#playeverywhere
OFFICIAL
WBSC
BASEBALL5
RULEBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Field Game Preliminaries Game Rules End of the Game
03
07
08
14
OFFICIAL WBSC BASEBALL5 RULEBOOK | 3
INTRODUCTION
Baseball5™ or B5 is an urban version of the classic games of baseball
and softball. It is a fast, young and dynamic discipline that follows the
same founding principles of its parent disciplines.
Baseball5™ can be played everywhere and requires only a rubber ball.
THE FIELD
INFIELD
The infield has a square shape, with a base in every corner. The distance
in between bases is 13 meters or 42,5 feet (black in picture 1).
Starting from the batter’s box, behind home plate (picture 1), the bases
are numbered counterclockwise. (first, second and third)
50 cm = 1,6 ft
100 cm = 3,2 ft
150 cm = 5 ft
300 cm = 10 ft
450 cm = 15 ft
500 cm = 16,5 ft
1300 cm = 42,5 ft
1800 cm = 59 ft
Picture 1
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4 | OFFICIAL WBSC BASEBALL5 RULEBOOK
FAIR TERRITORY
Fair territory has a square shape of 18 meters (59 ft) per side, in which
one of the corners coincides with the home plate (black + yellow in
Picture 1). The no-hit zone in front of the home plate is not part of fair
territory.
NO-HIT ZONE
A straight line shall be drawn starting from 4.5 meters (15 ft) from
home plate on the first base foul line to its equivalent on the third base
foul line. In any case the minimum distance of the line from home plate
shall be 3 m (10 ft).
BATTER’S BOX
The batter’s box has a square
shape of 3 meters (10 ft) per
side. It is placed outside of fair
territory and is built on the
extension of the two foul lines
crossing each other at the home
plate corner. (Picture 2)
Picture 2
The home plate can also be
shaped like the baseball/softball
home plate. (Picture 2)
BASES
Ideal shape and size of all bases is a square of 50 (1,6 ft.) centimeters
per side. First base and third base shall be placed completely in fair
territory, with one side tangent to the foul line. Bases shall be marked
on the ground, there are not physical cushions like in baseball/softball.
OFFICIAL WBSC BASEBALL5 RULEBOOK | 5
FIRST BASE
In order to avoid collisions, the first base is “doubled” (see Picture 3),
so that while the defensive play is made on the base in fair territory, the
batter/runner’s goal is to touch the base in foul territory.
The batter in the action of running towards first base, after putting
the ball in play, has to touch the base and, in order to stay safe, has to
remain in the area included within the base and the 1.5 meter-safe-area
(5 ft) attached to it (Picture 3). Should the runner fail to remain in the
safe area with at least one foot, he/she can be ruled out by a tag.
Picture 3
FENCES
The ideal height of the fences is 100 centimeters or 3 feet. However,
every league/tournament organisation may decide on other ways of
limiting the field of play, such as using existing walls or marking the
ground. In these cases, specific ground rules shall be established and
communicated to all participants.
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6 | OFFICIAL WBSC BASEBALL5 RULEBOOK
GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES OF BASEBALL5
Baseball5 is an official sport discipline governed by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).
Baseball5 is therefore subject to all the applicable WBSC Statutes, By-laws, rules and regulations and
governance principles.
Abstract on international competition (see full article 19 of the WBSC Statutes here)
Any International Baseball5 competition, match, game, tournament between teams and/or clubs that
come under the jurisdiction and/or auspices of one or more Members and/or comprising of one or
more players that come under the jurisdiction and/or auspices of one or more Members, shall come
under the jurisdiction of the WBSC and shall be subject to the Statutes, Code of the Divisions, By-Laws,
Rules and Regulations as established by the WBSC.
WBSC Full Members are the only authorities in each country to select their National Team and have
the exclusive right to represent the country or territory name, flag and colours.
Abstract on assets (see full article 24 of the WBSC Statutes here)
The WBSC’s Baseball5 assets consist of:
1. The name “Baseball5”, any publication by the WBSC like Newsletters, Magazines, Yearbooks,
Documentaries, etc. and the acronym «WBSC» «B5» and the prevailing logos and brands of the
organisation and all those that can be created in the future.
2. The Basebll5 World/Global Rankings for all categories
3. All Official National Team Competitions that fall under WBSC’s jurisdiction.
4. The name Baseball5 World Cup as well as all its various Age Categories and all other trademarked
and registered competitions (Baseball5 World Tour, Baseball5 Pro Circuit …).
5. The Baseball5 official competitions and tournaments and others that can be created with this
character.
6. Any logo, official look and branding related to Baseball5 and its competitions, activities and
events.
OFFICIAL WBSC BASEBALL5 RULEBOOK | 7
GAME PRELIMINARIES
BALL
WBSC, being
the world
governing body
for Baseball5, is
entitled of ball
and equipment
certification,
homologation and
licensing.
WBSC sanctioned
competitions
shall be played
with Baseball5
balls that have
passed the WBSC
homologation
process.
INNING
WBSC, being the world governing body for Baseball5, is entitled to ball
and equipment certification, homologation and licensing.
The Baseball5 ball has the following technical specifications.
•
•
•
•
•
Weight: 84.80 gr.
Size:
• Diameter 66.4 mm
• Circumference: 208.4 mm
Bound: 76 cm (from 150cm in height, drop to marble floor)
Pressure: 7.99 kgf (to press the ball towards the center of the ball
by 30%)
Material: natural rubber 100% (Recycled material will work as
well)
An inning is a division of a Baseball5™ game consisting of a turn at bat
for each team. A Baseball5 game is made of 5 innings.
A different game format in which a match is played over the best of 3
games, may be developed for events like, but not limited to World Cups,
Youth Olympic Games, etc.
TEAM PLAYERS
The number of active players per team during a game is 5 at all times.
a team cannot meet the minimum required number of players on the
field, the team shall forfeit the match and the match is over.
The maximum number of players on the roster is 8 (5 in play and 3
reserves).
Athletes must be registered in the line-up card with a number which
can be freely chosen from 0 to 99, such number must clearly appear on
the jersey. Please refer to the tournament regulations documents for
uniform specification.
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8 | OFFICIAL WBSC BASEBALL5 RULEBOOK
MIXED TEAMS
OUTFIT
In mixed gender competitions the defensive team must have at all times
a minimum of 2 athletes per gender on the field.
Only certain type of finger taping protection can be allowed by Game
Officials under certain circumstances. It must be announced to and
approved by the Game Officials prior to the start of the game.
General urban sports attire is required for playing Baseball5. The
WBSC reserves the right to define specific regulations for players
to participate in its official competitions. Where applicable, this
information will be presented in the tournament manual. Only
kneepads and elbow sleeves are permitted as protective equipment.
LINE-UP (ANNEX 1)
The coach of each team must present the line-up card duly filled and
signed 15 (fifteen) minutes before the start of the game to the Table
Official. An event organiser can require a line-up card to be presented
up to 90 (ninety) minutes before the game. In the absence of a coach,
the team manager or the captain shall take this responsibility. A copy
of the line-up card must be presented to the opposing team before the
beginning of the game.
GAME RULES
The Home team starts the game in defense and the Visitor team starts
in offense.
The goal of the defensive team is to eliminate (make “outs”) three
offensive team players in order to end the innings. Following the end of
innings, the teams switch sides with the defensive team becoming the
offensive team and vice-versa.
The goal of the offensive team is to score runs (make points).
The 5 players of the defensive team shall all be in fair territory when
the batter hits the ball. Positions: • 1st Base • 2nd Base • 3rd Base •
Shortstop • Mid Fielder.
OFFICIAL WBSC BASEBALL5 RULEBOOK | 9
DEFENSE/DEFFENSIVE TEAM
The 5 players of the defensive team shall all be in fair territory when
the batter hits the ball.
Positions:
In Picture 4 you
will see a typical
formation.
However, the
defensive players
may change
their position
before every
action according
to their team
requirements.
•
•
•
•
•
1st Base
2nd Base
3rd Base
Shortstop
Mid Fielder
Picture 4
OFFENSE/OFFENSIVE TEAM
In the lineup card the teams must list the 5 active players hitting from
1 to 5. The batting order shall be followed throughout the game unless
a player is substituted for another. In that case the substitute shall take
the place of the replaced player in the batting order.
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10 | OFFICIAL WBSC BASEBALL5 RULEBOOK
HITTING/BATTING
The act of hitting takes place while a batter is entirely in the batter’s
box and shall remain within the lines until the hit ball leaves the
batter’s hand. The ball has to be hit/slapped either with a fist or a palm.
ILLEGAL HITTING
The first bounce has to be after the no-hit zone line marked diagonally
at 4.5 m from home plate. For the U-15 category the no-hit zone is
marked at 3 m (Picture 5).
For the U-15 category and below, players will have a second chance at bat
in the event of an illegal hit or foul-ball.
Picture 5
OFFICIAL WBSC BASEBALL5 RULEBOOK | 11
POINTS/RUNS
OUTS
*In Baseball5,
unlike what
happens in
baseball and
softball, it is the
first bounce of
the ball that
determines
whether the hit
ball is fair or not:
•
•
First bounce
in foul
territory =
batter is OUT
First bounce
in fair
territory =
the ball is
alive
**If a player
erroneously hits
out of turn, the
defensive team
is responsible to
notify the Game
Officials before
the next batter.
In this case, the
legitimate batter
shall be ruled out
and the batting
order should
resume with the
following player.
A point (run) is scored when a player reaches home plate having passed
all the bases during an offensive session of his/her team, therefore,
after having touched in order 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base and home
plate in this order.
The defensive team needs to eliminate 3 opponents in an inning in
order to switch sides and become the offensive team.
How the defense makes “outs”:
•
•
•
•
By touching the base (while in possession of the ball) in which a
runner is “forced” to run to;
By catching a hit ball before it touches the ground;
By tagging a runner when he/she is not on a base;
Tagging = touching the runner with the ball in hand;
If a batter reaches first base safely but fails to remain in the safe
area and is tagged by a defender while outside the safe area.
How the offensive players eliminate themselves due to illegal
behaviour/action:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
By touching (stepping) on one of the batter’s box lines while hitting
the ball;
By hitting the ball into foul territory*;
By hitting the ball into themselves;
By completely missing the ball in the attempt of hitting;
By intentionally faking to hit the ball;
By not making a hit ball touch the fairground at least once before
touching the fences or going over the fences;
By not respecting the batting order and hitting in place of a
teammate**;
By a runner leaving the base before the batter hits the ball;
By passing a teammate while in the action of running the bases;
By being tagged while two or more runners are on the same base.
The one behind in the batting order shall be called “out”.
NOTE: Runners must do everything possible to avoid a collision with the
defenders. Should an umpire decide that a runner could have avoided a
collision, the runner shall be ruled “out”.
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12 | OFFICIAL WBSC BASEBALL5 RULEBOOK
DEAD BALL
If, after a valid hit, the ball leaves the court and is no longer playable by
the defense, the game stops. In such cases, one of the following will be
applied:
•
•
•
•
If no defender touches the ball, each runner advances to the next
base (no extra base is awarded);
If the hit ball touches a defender (no error) and leaves the court,
each runner advances to the next base (no extra base is awarded);
If the ball leaves the court due to a defensive error (missed throw
or missed catch), each runner is awarded an extra base (batter goes
to 2nd base, runner on 1st base goes to 3rd base and so on...). It is
discretion of the Game Official to call the error and award the extra
base to the offence.
The ball is dead also if the Game Official calls an obstruction (each
runner advances 1 base).
BASES LOADED, 2 OUTS – SPECIAL CASE
Example:
LINE UP
1 Paul
2 Jane
3 Mike
4 Steve
5 Kim
In a situation with bases loaded and 2 outs where the runner at 3rd
base is up (according to the batting order) each runner advances 1 base
with the runner on third base going to hit and a pinch runner placed
on first base. In teams with only 5 players, the first player called out in
that inning becomes pinch runner on first base. The batting order shall
always be respected.
1st inning:
1. Paul, base hit. Paul is on 1st base, no outs, Jane goes into the batter’s
box.
2. Jane, base hit. Paul is on 2nd base, Jane is on 1st base, no outs, Mike
goes into the batter’s box.
3. Mike, base hit. Paul is on 3rd base, Jane is on 2nd base, Mike is on
1st base, no outs, Steve goes into the batter’s box.
4. Steve, fly out. Paul is on 3rd base, Jane is on 2nd base, Mike is on 1st
base, 1 out, Kim goes in the batter’s box.
5. Kim, fly out. Paul is on 3rd base, Jane is on 2nd base, Mike is on 1st
base, 2 outs, Paul should be the next batter, but he is on 3rd base.
Therefore:
Paul goes into the batter’s box, Jane advances to 3rd base, Mike to
2nd base and Steve (first out of the inning) goes to 1st base as a pinch
runner.
OFFICIAL WBSC BASEBALL5 RULEBOOK | 13
INTERFERENCE
OBSTRUCTION
Should a Game Official deem that a runner has interfered with the
defensive play, the runner shall be ruled out.
Should a Game Official deem that the batter-runner is obstructed while
running to the next base, the ball is dead, and all runners advance to the
bases they would have reached had there been no obstruction.
TIME
A player can request time when a play is over. The ball is alive until the
Game Official grants it.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE BEHAVIOR
Should a Game Official detect any unsportsmanlike behaviour from any
delegation member - players on and off the field, coach and team
manager - the responsible person may be ejected from the game.
SUBSTITUTIONS
During tournaments any ejection will result in a minimum suspension
of 1 match.
Tactical substitution
Tactical substitutions can take place every time teams change between
offense and defense.
Reserve players can enter the game only once, therefore, once they
are substituted, they cannot re-enter. A starting player can re-enter the
game only to regain his/her original spot in the batting order.
Injury substitution
Should a player suffer an injury, he/she can be substituted at any time.
The injured player cannot re-enter. Should the match be played over a
series of 3 games the injured player is out for the whole series.
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14 | OFFICIAL WBSC BASEBALL5 RULEBOOK
END OF GAME
The game ends at the end of the fifth inning if one team has scored
more runs than the opponent.
Should the Home Team be ahead on the scorecard after the Visitor
Team has completed its fifth offensive inning, the game is over, and the
Home Team wins.
TIE-BREAK RULE
On matches played over a series of 3 games, the team that wins 2 games
is the winner.
In case of a tied game, the teams shall play and complete extra inning(s)
until one team scores more runs than the opponent.
•
•
•
The first extra inning will start with a runner on first base.
The second extra inning will begin with runners on first and second
base.
Runners will start on all bases from the third extra inning onwards
Runners must be placed on base(s) without modifying the batting
order.
RUN-AHEAD RULE
A game is over if a team leads by 15 runs at the end of the third inning
or by 10 at the end of the fourth. Should a team reach a 10 or more
run advantage during the top of the fifth inning the game shall be
completed.
APPLICATION AND LEGAL NOTICE
For any instance that is not covered by this document, the Game Officials will make the final decision.
All rights reserved. No part of the Official WBSC Baseball5 Rulebook may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording,
or any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without permission in
writing from the World Baseball Softball Confederation.
OFFICIAL WBSC BASEBALL5 RULEBOOK | 15
ANNEX 1
OFFICIAL LINE-UP CARD
BASEBALL5 RULEBOOK
2020 EDITION